As the Michigan Legislature starts gearing up for 2012 sessions, some MSU students and state politicians are hoping one bill regarding student drunkenness might finally see the governor’s desk.
ASMSU representatives plan to testify in front of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee on Thursday to push for a bill that would provide legal protection for students who turn themselves or a friend into police for being dangerously drunk.
Despite attempts from several lawmakers and MSU students during the past three years, multiple versions of so-called medical amnesty legislation have failed to gain enough momentum to make it through the Legislature.
Although the legislation has garnered wide bipartisan support — only seven representatives voted against the bill when it went through the house in 2009 — a law is just now starting to come into sight.
“I’m pretty optimistic this will be passed before the end of the semester,” said Victor Draine, ASMSU’s vice chair for governmental affairs.
Right now, there are medical amnesty bills in both chambers. Similar legislation in the Senate passed the judiciary committee but hasn’t been taken up on the floor.
“I don’t understand why they aren’t moving forward,” said State Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge. “Nobody should have to fear getting arrested to save somebody’s life.”
Although the bill — originally introduced by State Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, per the request of ASMSU — had a strong start, it stalled in the Senate and expired at the end of 2010.
The issue also will come into play as the 69th District primary races heat up.
Medical amnesty legislation is an issue candidate Susan Schmidt might have ownership of in the eyes of student voters.
As Meadows’ chief of staff, she was a vocal proponent of pushing the legislation through. Her experience there is one of her most direct ties to students while going up against fellow democrat Sam Singh, an MSU alumnus.
“It would depend on the student and what they really value,”
Schmidt said, responding to whether she thought her active support of the legislation could attract student voters. She added her legislative experience is a factor that could attract voters.
Singh served on the East Lansing City Council as a student, going on to become the youngest mayor in East Lansing history at age 24. Singh has supported the legislation from his seat in East Lansing government.
“It’s unfortunate that it’s taken so long to move this legislation,” Singh said. “This is not an East Lansing or Michigan State University issue, this is a statewide issue.”
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